23. 23rd January 2025. I didn't mean to...

...go record shopping. I mean, it wasn't an intention. Except I did. But I was just looking. Just in case anything incredible had gone into Dig's sale that wasn't there last week. But thought I might as well pop into Rough Trade on the way, just in case.

I'd been in town for an Anfield Wrap, the overview show - looking at what's just been, and at what will take us into February; which seems ages away but looks to contain about six games in ten days. I'd done the maths yesterday. 

Went into Waterstones on the way back to the station (I could easily head to Moorfields and avoid temptation but where's the fun in that?) Bumped into the excellent Jeff Young, writer of Ghost Town and Wild Twin. Beautifully written books both, Ghost Town being a spectacular dream of Liverpool's back streets. Talked publishing and theatre and do we follow each other on BlueSky? We do. Need to go for a cup of tea sometime soon. 

Then headed for Rough Trade. Where some bastard had filled their 75% off boxes with loads of lovely things. Nearly got a Bobby Darin compilation, ended up putting it back. But...

Van Morrison's Avalon Sunset for about £3 (not done the maths) - I had to have this on vinyl. It's our life. Have I Told You Lately That I Love You, obviously. Our wedding song, our dance. But Coney Island, just a dream of a song. The whole album though. Van may have tarnished his reputation with his anti-vax stance - to the point I wouldn't pick up His Band And Street Choir or No Guru No Method No Teacher last week - but back then? Still great. 

Elvis Costello's Spike for £2.50

A white label of Marshmallow Overcoat's ep (saw them do the Cavern one eighties lunchtime, they were marvellous, I was wearing a navy and white striped T-shirt, a jacket of some kind and sunglasses. Very Velvet Underground.

A Nelson Riddle album and Barbra Streisand's debut for 25p each. Because why not? When do you get albums for 75p.

Then I found it. A holy grail of some kind, Smile by The Remo Four. Literally met the drummer in Hamburg, it's on the Star Club label. The universe is gifting me Star Club albums bit by bit. I'm here for it.

And then. And then. The Church. Heyday. 50% off its £35 price tag. Still £17.50 though, isn't it? And I HAD to have the Remo Four and Van. So I put it back. It felt excessive. Felt greedy. You have to stop somewhere. And I know that's a limiting belief. 

And I also know this. I'm going back for it. At lunchtime, on the way to Spider Project, I'm picking it up. Because why deny the thing you've been waiting for? 

Will it still be there? Well, I put it back in the jazz section where they seem to think it lives. Nobody will look for it deliberately and no jazz fan is buying it. 

If it's there it's mine. If it's not then it wasn't meant to be. This time. These things come back. Everything presents itself.